NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

Located among the leafy estates of Riverdale, Wave Hill is a former private residence featuring gardens, lawns, woodlands and picturesque views of the New Jersey Palisades. Chairs and resting points dot the 28 acres of this public garden and cultural center. A stroll over the gravel paths reveals, among other delights, greenhouses filled with tropical and succulent plants, vine-heavy pergolas and a white balustrade set against the blue Hudson River.

Two restored houses serve the visual and performing arts programs of Wave Hill.  Exhibitions concentrate on the work of contemporary artists inspired by nature. With its mission of connecting people with nature, Wave Hill offers workshops in container gardening, photography, creative writing, plein air pastels and a weekend Family Art Project among its many offerings.  

Built in 1844 for lawyer William Lewis Morris, the estate has been home (if briefly) to Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Arturo Toscanini and others. In 1960, the family of George W. Perkins, who bought the estate in 1903, gave a portion of it to the city. The main house has gone through several transformations and now has a fieldstone façade. The parlor is paneled in Victorian-era teak, and the vaulted Armor Hall now serves as an assembly room and concert hall.

Programs for Seniors
Wave Hill's garden, nature and art programs are popular with senior citizens.

Foreign-language Programs
Some weekend workshops are offered in Spanish and English, simultaneously.

• Landmark Status: Wave Hill House
• Directions: Subway: 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park - West 242nd Street. A free Wave Hill van meets visitors at the terminus hourly while returning visitors departing the gardens. Passenger pick-up and drop-off are on the west side of Broadway directly in front of Burger King. Shuttle schedules at www.wavehill.org

• ADA Compliant Restrooms
• Disability Access: Visitor Center, Wave Hill House, Glyndor House, the Great Lawn and the Flower Garden are accessible. Wheelchairs available upon request at the front gate and at the reception desk. Trained guide dogs allowed. Handicapped parking in front lot. For more information, please call (718) 549-3200 or e-mail visitorservices@wavehill.org.
• Gift Shops: The Wave Hill Shop carries a selection of gardening, educational and gift items from local artisans working with natural materials.
• On-Site Food: The Wave Hill Café is located in Wave Hill House and offers visitors light fare and a view of the Hudson River and Palisades. Cafe Hours: Tues-Sun 10 am-4:30 pm; Wednesdays in June and July, 10 am-8 pm. Sunday Brunch (reservations by 4 pm Friday before) from 11:30 am-1 pm.
• On-Site Parking: On-site lot, $8 per vehicle. Free offsite lot nearby, with continuous shuttle service to and from the front gate.
• Public Phone
• Space Rental
• Tours

Get involved with Wave Hill

• Donations through NYCharities.org
• Donations through Wave Hill's Web site
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Memberships